MP hails latest job figures

Eastleigh’s MP Mims Davies has welcomed news that employment across the UK has reached its highest rate since records began, and that unemployment remains at its lowest level for 11 years – down over 900,000 since 2010. In Eastleigh, the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits has fallen by 1377 since 2010.

In a statement the MP said:

“This is great news for our country and for local people, with the number of people in Eastleigh relying on the key out of work benefits down 75 per cent over the last six years.

“I’m also very pleased to see the broader change across the South East on the whole, with 346,000 more people back in work in since 2010.

“It shows that the Government’s on-going welfare reforms are working to incentivise work – with more people sharing in our country’s prosperity than ever before.”

Figures just released show wages continuing to grow strongly, the youth unemployment rate at its lowest since 2005, the rate of women in employment at a record high, and the number of disabled people in work up by nearly 600,000 over the past three years.

Davies continued:

“I am committed to working with local businesses to ensure our economy flourishes, and was particularly pleased to visit Coopervision Ltd earlier this week to learn about their base in Hamble. This is just a short walk away from the RYA, which is another strong local employer with a global reach – not to mention the award-winning Southampton Airport that, as I saw on my recent visit, is going from strength to strength.

“I’ve also been encouraged by conversations with small businesses in the area, particularly in the restaurant and pub sector, which are doing good business and looking to recruit further.”